Atlanta Braves C Christian Bethancourt is receiving praise from the coaching staff this spring for his improved hitting approach. Bethancourt could receive consideration to open the season as C Brian McCann's (shoulder) backup with the likes of C Gerald Laird, Evan Gattis, Matt Pagnozzi and Jose Yepez. Bethancourt hit .224 (13-for-58) with three doubles, no home runs and a .246 on-base percentage in the Dominican Winter League. "That swing has gotten better," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's always been the thing. When you listen to the reports and listen to the guys talk about it, they always talk about the swing, how the swing is not ready yet. But just watching BP and watching the four at-bats I saw of him in winter ball, I think there's improvement there."